Xiānchá Town.

Ever since Huang Shu was attacked by bandits fourteen years ago and suffered severe injuries, he had been in poor health.

Moreover, this incident dealt him a heavy blow, and he rarely left his home.

The concubines of the Huang family—those who had connections—had all left long ago.

Over these past dozen years, the Huang family, unlike the dream world where Huang Rang managed affairs, had fallen into even greater decline.

The current Huang Shu was completely disregarded among the seed cultivators.

But now, he apparently still had some use.

—He was Xi Yin’s husband and Huang Rang’s father.

The reason He Xijin and his wife spared his life was precisely because they were wary of these two identities.

Now, from far away in the main hall of the Huang residence, one could hear coughing sounds.

Huang Shu sat in the seat of honor. The tables and chairs inside were still the same as they had been years ago—where was there even half a trace of later prosperity?

“The clan leader condescends to visit my humble household—this truly makes me feel extremely honored,” Huang Shu said with an ingratiating smile.

Although he also bore the surname Huang, he was from a minor branch, with distant blood ties to the main family.

Once, because he married Xi Yin, the entire Huang clan had looked upon him more favorably.

But due to Old Master Xi’s resolute decision to remove Xi Yin’s name from the family register, he gained no benefits from the Xi family. Moreover, after Xi Yin entered his household, he quickly reverted to his old ways, bringing a prostitute into the home and fathering an eldest son with her.

The Huang clan elders paid him even less attention after that.

Now that Clan Leader Huang Shiyi had come in person, Huang Shu was naturally feeling honored beyond measure.

But Huang Shiyi didn’t waste words with him, simply saying: “You must be aware of what your daughter Huang Rang has done in the capital, aren’t you?”

Huang Shu bowed obsequiously and said: “This humble one only learned of it later. The clan leader needn’t worry—that wretched girl is my biological daughter after all. Previously it was He Xijin and his wife who meddled in other people’s business. This time, I guarantee they won’t be able to leave the Huang residence even half a step.”

Huang Shiyi said: “That had better be the case. Otherwise, if you ruin important matters, when you lose something else from your body, don’t come out crying and wailing.”

His voice was sinister. Huang Shu involuntarily shivered.

Thus, urgent letters claiming Huang Shu was critically ill were sent one after another, pressing Xi Yin and her three daughters to return to Xiānchá Town.

At Ruyi Sword Sect, Xi Yin had been attempting to manage the small plot of farmland that Huang Rang had left behind over these years.

The quantity of mother seeds she cultivated was extremely small, but Qu Manying was overjoyed to see the changes in her old friend.

Xi Yin was, after all, Old Master Xi’s legitimate daughter. The quality seeds she bred were easy to sell in the market.

Just this small amount of mother seeds was already sufficient to maintain her and Huang Jun’s livelihood.

Qu Manying received over a dozen letters in succession, all urging Xi Yin to bring her two daughters back to the Huang family.

She sighed and could only discuss it with Xi Yin.

At that moment, Xi Yin was still tending to the quality seeds in the field.

Qu Manying handed her the letters. She opened them one by one and read them all.

“Ayin, what do you think about this?” Qu Manying said. “Huang Shu is pressing urgently. If we ignore it, I’m afraid the children will be criticized in the future.”

Xi Yin slowly put away the letters. After a long while, she said: “The children needn’t go back. I’ll go.”

“You?” Qu Manying hesitated. “Ayin, are you still not awakened? Huang Shu is a beast and a petty man. That entire Huang family is a den of wolves and tigers. In my opinion, you should claim illness and stay behind closed doors. Xijin and I will take the children back, see him once, and return immediately.”

Her plan was quite thorough.

But Xi Yin said: “He won’t let the children off.” After saying this, she raised her head and smiled at Qu Manying. “Besides, how could I bear to let Ajun go back to see him again? To smile ingratiatingly and show filial piety to him?”

Qu Manying sighed deeply. This was indeed her greatest difficulty.

As for Huang Jun, Qu Manying hadn’t yet mentioned it to her.

By evening, Xi Yin personally cooked and made a whole table of dishes.

The He Xijin family naturally all came to support her. Her complexion was rosy and her eyes bright. Seeing this, He Xijin felt relieved.

Seeing the abundant dishes on the table, Qu Manying couldn’t help but say: “I really never imagined that Sister Ayin would have such culinary skills.”

Xi Yin smiled faintly and said: “All these years, the children and I have constantly troubled Sister and your whole family. I’ve always felt uneasy about it.”

Hearing her say this, He Xijin waved his hand: “No, no, no need to be so formal!”

Xi Yin said: “Brother-in-law is right. Come, everyone eat.”

Qu Manying said: “It’s a pity Arang hasn’t returned. The child must have received the letter. She’s probably still requesting leave from her teacher at the Bureau of Celestial Oversight.”

But Xi Yin didn’t seem concerned, saying: “It’s fine. As long as she’s doing well, that’s enough. Whether she comes back or not, it’s all the same.”

These words had a somewhat dejected tone. Seeing Qu Manying looking at her, Xi Yin smiled again and said: “That child has been mischievous since childhood. I had a bad temper before and wronged both sisters. Whenever I was confused and lost my mind, Ajun would just endure it. But she had a sharp tongue and wouldn’t suffer even the slightest loss.”

This was the first time she spoke of the children’s childhood, but unfortunately, the two children’s early years didn’t have many happy moments.

So with just a few words, it ended.

But even so, Qu Manying felt quite gratified.

Didn’t this indicate that her old friend had finally let go?

She said: “Children should have that temperament. In the future, our Ajun also cannot be so submissive anymore, lest she be bullied.”

Xi Yin placed a chopstick-full of food into Huang Jun’s bowl beside her, saying: “Ajun has been good staying with Sister. Practicing swordplay daily, she’s become much more cheerful.”

Huang Jun ate silently, still not speaking much.

Childhood matters might be a source of joy for parents, but for her, they were too cruel.

The He Cui and He Dan brothers, having practiced swordplay with Huang Jun year-round, no longer had the awkwardness of years past.

The three ate at the same table, no different from biological siblings.

This meal was harmonious and pleasant for everyone.

By the next day, Qu Manying was still discussing with He Xijin how to deal with Huang Shu’s matter.

Unexpectedly, early in the morning, Huang Jun suddenly came over saying: “My mother is missing.”

Qu Manying frowned: “Could she have gone to the fields?” She hurriedly searched everywhere.

Xiānchá Town.

Huang Shu sat in the hall. Though it was midsummer, he was still dressed warmly. Since his injury, he had been very sensitive to cold. Now he held a cup of wine in his hand, sipping slowly.

These days he drank heavily year-round, but wine ultimately couldn’t compare to the taste of divine grass—there were always many moments of clarity.

His heart was troubled, and he couldn’t help but let out a heavy “hmm.”

Suddenly, someone outside said: “Master, Madam has returned!”

“Madam?!” Huang Shu thought of the person this title represented, his eyes filled with dark clouds. “That bitch…” he muttered. “Has Huang Rang returned?”

But the servant said: “Reporting to Master, Madam came alone. The two young misses are not seen.”

“Tell her to get in here!” Huang Shu sneered coldly.

Before long, a shadow moved outside. Xi Yin walked slowly toward him with light steps.

After fourteen years apart, she was no longer the person in his memory.

Huang Shu was also startled. The Xi Yin before him was somewhat more rounded than years ago. She was no longer skin and bones, and the delicate beauty of her features had emerged again.

Having been well cared for for over a decade, she was no longer possessed as before. Now her eyes were spirited—truly a beauty.

Seeing Xi Yin like this, Huang Shu didn’t know why, but anger rose from his heart!

“Bitch!” Each word dripped with hatred. “These years hiding in another wild man’s house, you’ve lived quite well, haven’t you?”

He strode over, wanting to reach out and grab Xi Yin’s hair.

In this moment, his heart was venomous with hatred. He didn’t even care that Huang Rang hadn’t returned. He just wanted to tear the clothes off this woman before him, pull apart her hair, and prevent her from maintaining this false pretense.

Xi Yin knew he would come.

Looking at this man before her, she couldn’t explain why she had been bewitched by him back then. The current Huang Shu—sallow and emaciated with a fierce look in his eyes—was like a baring monkey.

In terms of combat ability, he was no different from an ordinary adult male.

And Xi Yin was, after all, a descendant of Xi Rang from the Earth Spirit clan. Xi Yin’s right hand gripped a dagger tightly—as long as she dug out this man’s heart, Ajun and Arang would never have any future troubles.

As for herself… all these years, she had never fulfilled her duties as a mother.

At this moment, knowing that Huang Shu had ill intentions, should she still worry about herself and watch the two children fall back into the fire pit?

The Huang Shu before her rushed forward, about to slap her across the face.

At that moment, cold light flashed in Xi Yin’s hand.

But quickly, her wrist was seized—these Huang family servants were actually people in disguise?!

“Bitch, you actually want to kill me?!” Huang Shu saw the knife that was taken from Xi Yin and immediately flew into a rage! He slapped Xi Yin repeatedly, back and forth, over a dozen times. Xi Yin was beaten until her cheeks were red and swollen, and blood flowed from the corner of her mouth.

Fortunately, Huang Shu’s stamina was insufficient. He stopped to catch his breath. Someone beside him said: “Enough! Don’t forget the purpose of this trip! First trick Huang Rang back!”

Xi Yin raised her head, hardly able to believe her ears: “You’re actually colluding with outsiders to harm Arang?! Huang Shu, she’s your biological daughter!”

“Hahahaha.” Huang Shu threw his head back and laughed. “Bitch, now you remember she’s my daughter? When I was injured back then, you took those two little bastards and ran faster than anyone! Why didn’t you think then that she was my biological daughter?”

Xi Yin’s whole body turned cold: “Huang Shu, you are truly utterly shameless.”

“I’m shameless? Bitch, you live at Ruyi Sword Sect, serving one husband together with that Qu Manying—you’re not shameless? That He Xijin falsely claims to be an upright gentleman, but he’s nothing but a…” Huang Shu wore a smug expression of having seen through the truth.

Xi Yin truly couldn’t listen anymore: “Shut up! Huang Shu, shut your mouth!”

However, Huang Shu seemed to want to see her collapse into madness. The more Xi Yin suffered, the more pleased he became.

Just then, someone outside chuckled lightly, saying: “Oh my, Lord Huang’s household is so lively?”

A person entered uninvited.

He wore purple official robes, with a gold hook and jade belt, a golden fish pouch at his waist, and black official boots on his feet. A youth in his prime, infinitely elegant. Behind him were Li Lu and Bao Wu—Li Lu refined and handsome, Bao Wu with a golden sword slung diagonally across his right side—civil and martial complementing each other.

Huang Shu looked up and couldn’t help but frown: “Who are you?”

The newcomer scraped the mud from the bottom of his boots on the threshold before saying: “This humble one is Di Yiqiu of the Bureau of Celestial Oversight. I’ve met Lord Huang.”

As soon as he announced his identity, everyone in the hall became tense.

Huang Shu couldn’t help but ask: “Is there something that brings an official lord from the Bureau of Celestial Oversight here?”

Di Yiqiu walked slowly inside. His eyes swept over Xi Yin, who was being held down on the ground, but his expression didn’t change. He smiled and said: “So Lord Huang doesn’t know. Your ancestors accumulated virtue, which is why you have such a filial daughter. A few days ago, Huang Rang, a student of the Xuanwu Division of the Bureau of Celestial Oversight, heard that her father was critically ill. She was anxious and distressed, unable to rest day or night. She came before me weeping, begging me to save Lord Huang.”

“What… what…” Huang Shu was completely confused.

Di Yiqiu sighed lightly and said: “I am soft-hearted and cannot bear to see filial children suffer. So I had no choice but to bring Lord Huang to the capital and have the imperial physicians treat and extend Lord Huang’s life.”

Huang Shu finally understood. His expression changed drastically: “You, you want to arrest me?!”

“How can you call it arrest?” The Director raised his hand, making a gesture to take him away. “This official was moved by your daughter’s filial heart and specially brought Lord Huang to the capital for diagnosis and life extension.”

The Director reiterated this with utmost seriousness.

“You, you dare!” Huang Shu retreated repeatedly. However, Bao Wu had already stepped forward. Bao Wu was originally from a military background, tall in stature and robust in physique. He came out and saw several servants still firmly pressing down on Xi Yin, and couldn’t help but fly into a rage.

Bao Wu was someone who couldn’t stand seeing people bully the weak. He flew up with a kick. One servant was sent tumbling over ten feet away by his kick and immediately vomited blood.

Seeing this, the other servants didn’t dare approach and scattered to avoid him.

Only then did Xi Yin gain her freedom. Her face had been beaten by Huang Shu beyond recognition, yet she didn’t cry. After all these years, all her tears had dried up.

She was about to struggle to stand when suddenly, a hand reached over from beside her.

Xi Yin looked up and saw that the person before her was still a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth.

Though he wore solemn clothing, his features still carried youthful innocence.

His face was pale and beardless, his features delicate and clean, giving people peace of mind.

She hesitated for a moment, but the youth had already supported her and helped her stand.

Di Yiqiu saw that both her cheeks were red and swollen, with blood already seeping out. He took out medicine from his bosom and said: “This official arrived a step too late. I apologize.”

He was apologizing?

Xi Yin looked up at him. He said: “Arang has been very worried about you in the capital.”

Having just received such beating and humiliation, Xi Yin hadn’t cried. But hearing these words, her tears suddenly streamed down.

The Director protected her behind him and smiled at Huang Shu, saying in a deliberately ambiguous tone: “Lord Huang, please. Don’t disappoint your daughter’s filial heart.”

How could Huang Shu possibly dare to go?

He trembled as he shouted: “Clan Leader, save, save me…”